According to the lawsuit filed by The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), De Piero was singled out for ridicule and humiliation because of the color of his skin. He was an English professor at Penn State Abington.
The lawsuit alleges that De Piero was subjected to a continuous stream of racial insults directed at White faculty in the writing department. When he complained about this, the director of the Affirmative Action Office told him that "There is a problem with the White race," and that he should attend "antiracist" workshops "until you get it."
De Piero was expected by the university to submit to antiracist brainwashing and doctrine, particularly that he as a White person was inherently flawed on the basis of history. He said the university wanted him to believe that "as a White individual, I'm somehow responsible for all the injustices and suffering currently in the world and in the history of the world."
WATCH: UCLA PROTESTORS LOST THEIR MIND CALLING THE UNIVERSITY A VIOLENT INSTITUTION
De Piero's direct report in the English department, Liliana Naydan, "expressed her view that racism practiced against White faculty and students is legitimate," according to the lawsuit. Naydan allegedly tried to coerce faculty to introduce equity into the grading process to ensure there weren't disparities by "penalizing students academically on the basis of race."
WATCH: TRUMP'S ATTORNEY FACING INDICTMENT IN ARIZONA
June 27, 2023
The lawsuit also alleges that an equity administrator named Alina Wong engaged in breathing exercises in one session and suggested White staff needed to hold their breath longer than people of color in order to "'feel the pain' that George Floyd endured."
DRAMATIC COURTROOM TWIST: WIFE OF ACCUSED 'CLIFF-DRIVER' MAKES DESPERATE PLEA FOR HUSBAND
De Piero's direct report, Naydan, similarly "instructed her writing faculty to teach that White supremacy exists in language itself, and therefore, that the English language itself is 'racist' and, furthermore, that White supremacy exists in the teaching of writing of English, and therefore writing teachers are themselves racist white supremacists," the suit said.
IS MCDONALD'S BECOMING THE NEW CHAMPION OF AFFORDABILITY?
De Piero told Fox News Digital that he was especially offended because throughout his career he had always worked with underprivileged and marginalized communities, in both employment and volunteering opportunities. "How dare you demean anybody based on their natural characteristics that they have no control over," De Piero said.
MICHAEL RAPAPORT FURIOUS AFTER SHOW GETS CANCELED
The professor added that the experience in the alleged racially hostile work environment took an emotional toll on him, and he relied on his family and friends for support. "They were seeing me go through this stuff and they're all very concerned about me," he said. "I really honestly feel for people who don't have that kind of support network. I don't see how you could get through something like this alone. I really don't."
HOT OFF THE PRESS: DAILY CALLER OBTAINS SECRET GAG ORDER
When De Piero attempted to raise his concerns about being allegedly subject to a hostile work environment on the basis of his race vis-à-vis the mounting professional development sessions and workshops, he was met with retaliating complaints and a negative performance review, the lawsuit said.
NEED TO SEE TO BELIEVE: DISGRACED BALTIMORE DA MARILYN MOSBY'S PLEA FOR MERCY (WATCH)
Penn State also officially warned De Piero that "dissenting from Penn State’s race-based dogma" would result in "disciplinary action," the lawsuit said.
The professor ended up leaving his position. "Penn State actively treated De Piero as the problem, suggesting mental health treatment and disciplining him for bullying when he dared to complain. As a result, De Piero’s only option to escape the hostile environment was to leave Penn State. This constructive termination occurred on August 2, 2022," the lawsuit said.
Penn State said they will not comment on ongoing litigation.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
